They shouldn't have singled out Tea Party groups the way they did. That's indefensible and I don't buy the official story that it was just a way to categorize the work developed by lower level employees. Doesn't pass the smell test, does it?
On the other hand, I'd have no objections if they treated EVERY applicant for tax-exempt status like that. Let's make sure they really are doing what they claim they are before letting them get out of paying taxes and let's find out who's behind them.
Forcing applicants for 501(c) status to reveal that kind of detailed information would go a long way toward fixing what's wrong with the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, wouldn't it? We might finally find out who's doing what and why.
I suspect that's what the right is actually afraid of in this case. If the IRS is allowed to actually investigate a claim for tax exempt status, The People might figure out how a few key players are trying to manipulate the election process through a series of tax-exempt front groups.